Economic Development

Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program

The City of Long Beach is launching " Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program," a program designed to propel small businesses towards success and sustainability. This initiative offers entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to connect with essential support resources and undergo comprehensive workshops aimed at crafting new business and marketing plans. Upon completion of the program, participants become eligible to apply for $10k grants, empowering them to expand their business capacity and enhance resilience.

With a focus on igniting growth and fostering excellence, the City's Economic Development Department will select a group of 25 small businesses for this exclusive opportunity. Through a series of no-cost training sessions, participants will delve into strategic business planning, marketing, branding, social media optimization, access to capital, government procurement opportunities, permitting and licensing insights, merchandising techniques, networking strategies, biz-to-biz mentorship, talent recruitment, and personalized business counseling. Join us as we embark on this transformative journey, driving Long Beach's small businesses from good to great, and from small to big.

To review the application in advance, you may download the application as a reference guide in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. 

Closed, as of 05/21/2024.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Is application assistance available?

Yes! For technical assistance, please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or 4Biz@longbeach.gov

Q: How many participants will be selected?

25 businesses will be selected to participate in this program and receive grant awards upon completion. 10 additional businesses will be selected to participate in the workshop series only, and may be eligible for grant awards if funds become available. 

Q: If my business is selected to participate in the Level Up program, will I receive the program's grant funds automatically?

No,businesses will be required to complete the program including updating their business plans and creating a plan for investment of grant funding to receive grant funding.

Q: Who is eligible to participate in this program? 

• Must be located and operating within the boundaries of Long Beach, California with a storefront location accessible to the public.
• Must have been in business for a minimum of 3 years as of 4/23/2024.
• Must be an independently-owned, for-profit business including sole proprietorships, LLC's or Corporations that are not publicly traded (franchises and large chains with 10 or more locations are not eligible). 501(c)3 nonprofits may also apply.
• Must have a City of Long Beach business license. The business must hold an active or delinquent license. Businesses that have closed or cancelled their licenses are not eligible for the program.
• Must be currently open and active for business.
• Must earn no more than $5 million in annual gross revenue.
• Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships must have an “ACTIVE” status with the California Secretary of State.

Q: Who is ineligible to participate in the program?

• Businesses without a physical location in Long Beach, CA
• Businesses that are permanently closed
• Government entities or elected official offices
• Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities
• Passive businesses, investment companies, and investors who file a Schedule E on their personal tax returns
• Churches and other religious organizations
• Financial businesses primarily engaged in the business of lending, such as banks and finance companies
• Landlords and property managers (unless repairing on behalf of a small business)
• Businesses engaged in any activity that is illegal under federal, state, or local law
• Businesses engaged in any socially undesirable activity or activity that may be considered predatory in nature such as check cashing businesses
• Businesses that have active and unresolved code enforcement and COVID-19 Health Order violations
• Cannabis-related businesses

Q: How are businesses selected for participation in the program?

All applications will first be reviewed for eligibility. Participants will be selected from the eligible applications by a selection committee based on: 

• Representation of businesses across all parts of the city with priority for businesses located in low-to-moderate income areas
• Representation of businesses across multiple sectors
• Business readiness and potential impact of program participation

Q: What is the timeline?

Selection of participating businesses is anticipated for late June.

Q: Can I edit my application after I submit?

The application form does not allow editing after submission. To correct any errors or missing information, please contact BizCare at 562-570-4249 or 4Biz@longbeach.gov.

Q: Are any documents required with this application?

No, however selected businesses will be required to provide ID, W-9, and proof of income documentation to be enrolled in the program.